Indeed, the world didn't end Friday night for Oklahoma State, though it seemed like it. Troy's pummeling of the Cowboys was a hard loss to take. But if there's a ray of light at all coming from that game, it's that it was a non-conference loss. Right now, OSU is 0-0 in the Big 12. That means the big goals for the program are still out there if the Pokes fare well the rest of the way.

And that journey begins this weekend. Saturday afternoon, Mike Leach's sand pirates Red Raiders come to Orange Country, and it's an opportunity for OSU to get a leg up in the South Division and post the first conference win of the season in the Big 12.

If that is to happen, the Pokes are going to have to earn it against a Texas Tech squad which features an offense that's been known to give OSU fits. The Cowboys should know what's coming their way, because they went up against the poor man's version of Tech last weekend against the Trojans. Troy does what Tech does, just not as well and with less talent. So if OSU is to get to 1-0 in the Big 12 this season, they'll need to figure out how to contain the Raiders dink and dunk scheme.

RED RAIDERS AT A GLANCELocation: The edge of forever, Texas2006 record: 9-4 (5-3 Big 12)Record so far this season: 3-0Last game: Win, 59-24 over Rice.Game time: 2:30 p.m. Saturday in Stillwater (TV: Fox Sports Southwest)Current ranking: N/AFact of the week: While it seems Tech owns OSU, the last four seasons the all-time series is split at 2-2, with the 2006 game in Lubbock only being decided by six points (30-24).